Mike Pearson Named New Market to Market Host

Grinnell, Iowa, businessman and farmer Mike Pearson will follow in the footsteps of his father as the new host of Market to Market.

Mike Pearson, Market to Market: “When I was asked there was a long pause, and I could just hear Dad say, 'Say, yes. Never turn down an opportunity.' And in a lot of ways that's what this is. It's something he built up, he and Chet Randolph spent nearly 40 years building up the Market to Market brand for farmers and ag professionals to trust and to turn to. And here's an opportunity for me, as a young person, to continue building that trust for the future. And I'm thrilled and I'm honored and I'm humbled."

Mike brings substantial knowledge of farming and a clear understanding of rural issues to the table.

Representing the sixth generation of Pearsons rooted in Midwestern agriculture, Mike grew up on a family farm in Iowa. His family instilled in him a strong work ethic and an appreciation for the rural experience.

After graduating from high school in 2003, Pearson managed his family’s diversified grain and livestock operation and provided market updates and news reports for WOI Radio in Ames, Iowa. Upon graduation from Simpson College, Pearson entered the banking industry in Grinnell, Iowa. His financial experience includes personal, commercial and agricultural lending.

Pearson and his wife, Heidi, live in Grinnell, Iowa, where they continue to build the Genuine Pearson Cattle Company brand.

Mike succeeds his father, Mark Pearson, who hosted the program for the past 20 years until his death last month. Mike will begin his hosting duties on Market to Market next week.

(Jul 13, 2012)
Rep. Peter Welch, D - Vermont: “The goal here has to be sustainability of American agriculture. We can’t have a system where one side really profits while the other side perishes. We all have to be in this together.”
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